Sunset wine tastes better when nobody else drives. This 3-winery Old Mission Peninsula tour swaps the loud party bus for a non party bus ride in an SUV, with included wine samples and real wine guidance from your tour team. You’ll hit standout stops on and around the peninsula, timed for great views and a relaxed pace.

Two things I like a lot: first, the tour feels calmer because you’re in an air-conditioned luxury SUV instead of a packed bus. Second, you get practical wine recommendations you can actually use while you’re standing at the tasting bar, with guide Mike specifically mentioned for steering people toward bottles and styles they’ll enjoy.

One possible drawback: the tour price covers the ride and wine samples, but full tastings, bottles, flights, and food are extra at the wineries and distillery. If you’re the type who likes to buy a lot during the tour, budget for that up front.

Key things to know before you go

• Non party bus comfort: SUV transport, semi-private group style, and less rush between stops
• Guides who give buying advice: clear recommendations and wine education built around what you like
• Views built into the route: Grand Traverse Bay scenery on the way to tastings
• Real stops, not just a drive-by: each stop runs about an hour, so you’re not constantly getting in and out
• An alternate fourth stop can change your feel: Old Mission Distilling may swap with Bowers Harbor Vineyards depending on the day

Non party bus comfort on Old Mission Peninsula

This tour is basically designed for people who want the good parts of a group wine outing without the circus. Instead of old-school bus vibes or cramped rows, you’re riding in a luxury SUV (GMC Yukon or Chevrolet Suburban, with Cadillac Escalade coming soon). The goal is simple: you can enjoy the scenery and still feel like a human at the end of the night.

I also like that the company is upfront about how the group works. It’s semi-private, usually pairing couples and small parties. If your group is on the larger side (around 6 to 7 people), you’ll typically have your own vehicle. That matters because it usually means fewer bottlenecks when you arrive at a tasting room and less waiting around for everyone to find their way back to the car.

And yes, you’re on a peninsula road system where timing affects your views. Starting in the late afternoon gives you that sunset timing window, and being in an SUV helps you take it all in instead of staring at a seatmate’s elbow.

Price and value: what’s covered in the $68

At $68 per person, this is priced like a real tour experience, not just a “transportation fee.” You’re paying for a guided itinerary, pickup/drop-off in downtown Traverse City at select locations, and the vehicle itself.

What you should understand clearly is what’s included versus what costs extra. The tour includes:

• Expert wine tour guides and local area guidance
• Wine samples/splashes during the stops
• An air-conditioned SUV
• Semi-private NON PARTY BUS logistics

What isn’t included:

• Flights, bottles, glasses, and food
• Tastings beyond the samples/splashes
• Anything you choose to purchase at the wineries or distillery

This is the part where I’d make your plan before you arrive. If you’re hoping for a “free tasting marathon” where you don’t pay anything beyond the ticket, this isn’t that. But if you want a guided route plus enough sampling to learn what you like, $68 is a reasonable way to avoid driving yourself, picking the wrong winery, or rushing through stops just to “cover” them all.

Meeting in Traverse City: pickup, timing, and how long you’ll be out

The tour meets at 303 E State St, Traverse City, MI 49684, and it starts at 3:30 pm. It runs about 3 to 4 hours overall, which is a sweet spot. Long enough to feel like you did something, short enough that you can still have dinner plans afterward.

Pickup is offered in downtown Traverse City at select locations, and you’ll get a mobile ticket. The operator also notes the tour is near public transportation, which is helpful if you’re staying close to downtown and don’t want to overthink parking.

Also pay attention to the schedule rhythm: each stop is about 55 minutes. That gives you time to taste, ask questions, and actually talk wine with staff and your guide, rather than feeling like you’re being herded.

The Grand Traverse Bay scenic stop on your way to the tastings

Between Traverse City and the Old Mission Peninsula wineries, the route includes a scenic orientation to Grand Traverse Bay. It’s an arm of Lake Michigan, separated from the rest of Lake Michigan by the Leelanau Peninsula. The bay stretches about 32 miles long, is 7 to 10 miles wide, and reaches up to 620 feet deep in spots.

You also get a little geography context that makes the views make more sense: the Old Mission Peninsula splits the bay into East and West arms. And the name traces back to 18th-century French voyageurs who made a long trek across the mouth of the bay, called la grande traverse.

Why this matters for your trip: when you understand what you’re looking at, the drive stops feeling like a transfer. You’re not just passing time. You’re spotting the shape of the water and realizing why vineyards here can produce such varied styles. It’s one of those small moments that makes the later tastings feel connected to the place.

Hawthorne Vineyards: secluded bluff views and classic Old Mission styles

Hawthorne Vineyards is the first tasting stop. This is one of the most secluded tasting room settings on Old Mission Peninsula, with the tasting room perched on a high bluff where you can view both East and West Grand Traverse Bays. That’s the kind of arrival that makes you slow down before you even taste.

On the wine side, the tour highlights options that help you understand the vineyard’s range:

• For red fans: Merlot / Cab Franc blend
• For white fans: Auxerrois or Dry Riesling

You can also find extras if you want to snack while you sip. The tour notes a popcorn flight and even a charcuterie board are available for purchase at the vineyard. I like this because it gives you a way to build flavor contrast without turning the afternoon into an expensive full meal.

One practical tip: because the setting is described as secluded and on a bluff, expect a short walk-in feeling at the tasting room area. Wear comfortable shoes and don’t count on the exact same bench lineup you’d get at a more downtown-style winery.

The tour allocates about 55 minutes here, so you’ll have time for at least a solid sampling and a few questions before moving on.

Bonobo Winery: brothers Todd and Carter Oosterhouse and the movie-star vibe

Bonobo Winery is the second stop and it leans into the fun. The tour describes it as a place where guests feel like movie stars, with wines people love to brag about. You also get real origin detail: Bonobo was founded by brothers Todd and Carter Oosterhouse, longtime Traverse City natives.

This stop is a strong choice if you’re the type who wants the guide to help you compare styles fast. The tour offers sample options that cover both reds and whites, including:

• Red picks: BDX and a top-shelf Pinot Noir
• White picks: Blanc de Blancs, Chardonnay, and a Fume Blanc

And there’s a standout detail that’s not common on Old Mission Peninsula: it’s described as the only peninsula winery where tour guests can sample a glass of whiskey. That’s a nice change of pace if you’re curious about spirits or you like a mixed-drink style option.

Because the tour keeps tasting time around an hour, I suggest you treat Bonobo like your “decide what you actually want to buy” checkpoint. If you’re going to pick one bottle to bring home, this is a good place to do it, since you’ll have already gotten your bearings at Hawthorne and you’ll soon be heading to the final stop.

Old Mission Distilling or Bowers Harbor: what the alternate stop changes

The itinerary includes a third featured stop centered on either Old Mission Distilling or, seasonally, Bowers Harbor Vineyards. This is one of those details you should note if you’re planning your preferences around wine versus spirits.

Old Mission Distilling: locally driven ingredients and a new-school vibe

Old Mission Distilling is positioned as a newer, hip location on the peninsula, with a welcoming setup for tasting and buying. The tour’s description focuses on a simple idea: the soul of a spirit lies in its ingredients.

They emphasize ingredients sourced locally, pulling from the abundance of farms and orchards on the peninsula. As a guest, you can sample and then purchase mixed drinks and wine.

If you like the idea of breaking up the afternoon with something other than wine alone, this stop can be the most memorable because it adds a different flavor workflow. You can ask questions that aren’t purely grape-based, and it helps you appreciate what local farming contributes beyond viticulture.

Bowers Harbor Vineyards: horse-stable charm and a dog winery factor

Bowers Harbor Vineyards is the alternate stop. It was established in 1991 and started as a horse farm before becoming a vineyard estate with 20 acres of vinifera vines. The tasting room is described as a former horse stable, which gives the place a different texture than the typical modern winery tasting room.

It’s also nicknamed the dog winery, and you might see various dogs around. That kind of detail sounds small until you’re on a tour and you realize it makes the stop feel more relaxed and human.

Bowers Harbor grows Riesling, Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Grigio, and Merlot. Like the other stops, you’ll have about an hour here to taste and ask questions.

How to get the most from included samples (without wasting money)

The best way to think about this tour is as a guided tasting sampler, not a free buffet. Wine samples and splashes are available during stops, but flights, bottles, food, and other purchases cost extra. That can sound like a drawback until you use it strategically.

Here’s how I’d play it:

• Start each stop by tasting two or three things you don’t usually order at home. That’s where you’ll learn quickly.
• If you find a style you like, ask the guide for a recommendation in that lane. The tour is built around real wine recommendations, and your guide experience is a big part of the value.
• Use the sample time to narrow what you’ll buy later. Don’t buy first and regret second.

If you’re food-curious, note that Hawthorne has options like popcorn flights and charcuterie boards available for purchase. You can turn “I’ll just taste” into “I’ll understand this wine with flavor context,” without forcing a full meal.

Guide support that makes wine feel readable

The human part is where this tour earns its top rating. One review specifically calls out guide Mike for taking people to the best spots and giving lots of wine recommendations, plus teaching new things about wine and local wineries. That kind of feedback matters because it’s about more than “nice driver.” It’s about interpretation.

Wine can be intimidating if you don’t know the language. A good guide translates the labels into real-world flavor cues and helps you connect a wine to what you like: crisp versus round, dry versus off-dry, fruit-forward versus savory.

So if you’re someone who has ever stood at a tasting bar thinking, I have no idea what to pick, this tour is built for you. The guided structure plus the semi-private format means you’re more likely to get personal attention and sharper recommendations than you would in a huge bus group.

Also worth noting: the tour is described as law enforcement/first responder/military friendly and is owned/operated by former law enforcement. I can’t measure the effect of that from a distance, but it signals a service culture that expects to treat people well and run a tight, respectful experience.

Who should book this sunset tour (and who might not)

I’d book this tour if you:

• Want Old Mission Peninsula highlights without driving
• Prefer a calmer group size and SUV comfort
• Like learning what you like, not just collecting labels
• Want your guide to help you decide what’s worth buying

I’d think twice if you:

• Want a ticket that covers full tastings, bottles, and food
• Are hoping for a huge number of stops or nonstop venue hopping
• Don’t drink alcohol at all, since the core focus is wine and spirits sampling

If you’re traveling as a couple or a small group, the semi-private setup is a big plus. It’s also a good plan for anyone who wants a sunset-ish route but still wants to be back in time to eat.

Should you book this 3-winery Sunset Wine Tour?

Yes, if you want a practical, guided way to enjoy Old Mission Peninsula without the stress of driving and without the chaos of a party bus. At $68, the included samples plus expert guidance are a solid value, especially if you plan to buy one or two things you truly like rather than guessing.

If your idea of a perfect wine tour is many paid tastings and a full meal included in the ticket, then this might feel more like a sampler-and-options tour than an all-inclusive tasting package. But if you’re open to paying for flights or bottles at the stops that match your tastes, this is one of the more sensible ways to do Traverse City wine country in a few hours.

FAQ

How much does the NON BUS Traverse Sunset Wine Tour cost?

It’s $68.00 per person.

What time does the tour start, and how long is it?

The tour starts at 3:30 pm and lasts about 3 to 4 hours.

Is pickup available in Traverse City?

Yes. Pickup is offered at downtown Traverse City at select locations, and the tour also returns to the meeting point.

Are wine samples included in the ticket price?

Yes. Wine samples/splashes are available on the tour.

Are wine tastings, flights, bottles, and food included?

No. Tastings, wines, flights, bottles, and food are not part of the tour price and are available at extra cost.

Which stops are included, and is there an alternate?

The tour includes Hawthorne Vineyards and Bonobo Winery. It also includes Old Mission Distilling, with Bowers Harbor Vineyards listed as a seasonal alternate stop. There’s also a scenic Grand Traverse Bay portion on the way to Hawthorne.

What is the cancellation policy?

Free cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, there’s no refund.

You Might Also Enjoy

Private Split & Trogir Wine Tasting & Vineyard with Sea ViewDomodossola: Savor Wines & Local Treats in a Scenic VineyardLake Garda: Vineyard Tour and 6 wine TastingSaint-Émilion: Bordeaux Vineyard Tour and Wine Tasting